Sunset Valley Golf Course to Close for Renovations

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A renovation project will have the Sunset Valley Golf Course closed through all of 2017 and for much of 2018.

The project will include a modernized clubhouse and outdoor space in addition to a complete renovation of trees, fairways, greens and bunkers, according to a Park District of Highland Park news release. Work will begin soon after the current course's final day of Dec. 31, 2016.

Golfers will still be able to book tee times through Dec. 31, 2017 at the Highland Park Country Club, which will be operated by Sunset Valley professionals during the renovation.

“The new design will transform Sunset Valley into a distinctive course accommodating every level of golfer with unique features while addressing and correcting the necessary infrastructure improvements identified in the GreenPrint 2014 10-year master plan,” the District wrote, estimating a July 2018 re-opening of the course.

Rick Jacobson, head of the new course design team, said when complete, Sunset Valley will “reflect a British Heathlands course design with an openness accentuated with strategic landforms, flowing masses of native grasses and groves of trees which harkens back to the character and aesthetic appeal of 1920’s era golf course architecture.”

Once the course re-opens, the "signature hole" will be Hole 4, complete with a larger lake and stone wall near the green. Hole 5 will have a new green with fescue grass the expansion of the lake will affect holes on the back nine.

Photo courtesy of the Park District of Highland Park: A rendering of the plan for Hole 4 at the Sunset Valley Golf Course in Highland Park.